DURING her 10-year stint as the host of Big Brother, Davina McCall was pregnant three times during different series and was nicknamed Big Mutha.

But Emma Willis, who takes over this month as the new host of the reality television show, is adamant she won’t follow the tradition.

Davina was pregnant during Big Brothers 2, 4 and 7, and sported clothes emblazoned with the Big Mutha moniker.

But don’t expect mother-of-two Emma to be phoning up to borrow them.

The presenter, who has daughter Isabelle, three and son Ace, 18 months, with husband Matt, the former Busted star, said: “I don’t think I need to do it every year like Davina. That would be a lot of work and I don’t think my husband would be very happy about that.

“I did present pregnant once (in 2011 with Ace on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side). I’ve given it a little nod.”

Presenting such a big show as Big Brother and being a mum to young kids won’t be a problem, with hubby Matt, who now stars in musicals, able to help and Emma knowing that she can be with her two children when it matters.

She said: “I can be at home in the day and go to work in the evening. I’m not missing any children time because they are asleep at night and I’ll be home during the day.

“Generally Matt and I never plan childcare, it usually works itself out.”

It always seemed destiny that Emma would present Big Brother. Like Davina, Emma is a massive fan of the show first and foremost and many wanted her to be the presenter when Channel 5 took over the show in 2011. Instead it went to former BB winner Brian Dowling who has now been replaced by Emma.

Davina has already been in touch to wish Emma well and the new presenter has admitted if Davina wanted to come back she’d gladly step aside.

She said: “To have her blessing is amazing. I couldn’t ask for more.

“You don’t get any better than Davina.

“She’ll always be Big Brother as far as I’m concerned because she was presenting it when I was growing up watching.

“She’s the perfect host of Big Brother.

“If I could have her come back this summer I would want that over me doing it. She was just brilliant at it.

“She did it perfectly and that’s because she loved it so much and submerged herself in it totally.”

Presenters Brian Dowling and Emma Willis

Fans would say that Emma does as well. She has been involved with the show since 2010 and most recently has hosted Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, and fans love the enthusiasm she brings.

There was a wobbly moment in April when it was announced Emma was replacing Brian after only two years. One of his friends, Narinder Kaur (who was a housemate with Brian in the second series), blasted Emma, tweeting that she should pick up the phone and call Brian, calling into question Emma’s integrity.

But Emma insisted she did call Brian and has met him to discuss what happened.

She said: “He’s a wonderful man, a really nice guy and extremely gracious.

“I don’t know what went on from his side and there’s lots of rumours but as far as me and him are concerned, we’ve spoken and he was absolutely lovely.

“Obviously he was sad that he’s not doing it but, as far as me taking over the role, he was understanding and he made it very easy for me to have that conversation.

“It could have been a lot more difficult and it was very uncomfortable. I like Brian, we get on well and have a really great rapport and a great working relationship. It was difficult.

“It’s bitter sweet the job really, because I’m so happy I’m doing it, but it’s so sad that Brian won’t be doing it.

“But there can’t be one without the other.

“He’s been really lovely. He could have been horrible. But he’s not that kind of man. He’s just great. A really nice guy.”

Big Brother fans will forgive her because Brian wasn’t the best presenter in the world and Emma is far more natural in front of cameras – quick and able to read and comment on situations without pre-prepared quips.

Such is Channel 5’s feeling about their new girl, she will also continue presenting Bit On The Side, alongside her new role as host with X Factor’s Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu.

She joined the Big Brother family three years ago for the online spin-off show Celebrity Big Brother’s Big i, before becoming co-host of Big Brother’s Little Brother and then Big Brother’s Bit on the Side from 2011 to 2013.

So it feels like the longest-ever apprenticeship for the hosting role.

But Emma is glad it worked out the way it did and she wasn’t given the job of host when Channel 5 took over Big Brother.

She said: “I was quite pleased about that in the beginning.

“Before Big Brother came back to Channel 5, I’d only done a year on Channel 4, even though I’d kind of had a presence on Little Brother as a recurring guest and then a year hosting it.

“I felt I needed to put my full time in.

“Hopefully now it seems to have paid off.

“I think you could wish for things too soon sometimes. And I think it’s good I’ve had that long apprenticeship.”

She was born Emma Griffiths, in Birmingham, and began modelling at the age of seven, becoming a presenter on MTV in 2002. She was a regular on ITV2 shows, including two years co-presenting the I’m a Celebrity spin-off show with hubby Matt, before quitting in 2009 to have their daughter Isabelle, and then on dating show Girlfri3nds.

Most recently, she’s hosted the Big Brother spin-off and This Morning’s Hub. It was only time before she was given a big job.

Emma is a safe pair of hands, warm, funny and quick.

As well as a new host there will be a revamp this year and Emma is happy that the show, called Big Brother: Secrets & Lies, will be harder and harsher with tough tasks and devilish twists.

She said: “I want it to be more of a challenge. It’s £100,000 for the winner. It shouldn’t be easy.

“I don’t want it to be mean, but it should be more difficult and shouldn’t treat the housemates like it’s a luxury hotel. There should only be an hour of hot water a day and I’d love to see chickens back in the garden again.”

And maybe hubby Matt will surprise her by becoming a housemate on a celebrity version.

Emma hoots with laughter.

“I’d love that to happen.

“I’ve never asked him to do it and he wouldn’t do it, but it would be hilarious to see him in there.